Ellen Gould White
What does Ellen White write about...
Ellen Gould White über: "Is the tithe for silent preachers (handbills) okay?"
Answer
The tithe is, according to the present writings, reserved exclusively for the support of the preaching ministry and may not be diverted to other purposes. Although the distribution of literature such as handbills is an important part of God's work, this work should be funded by voluntary gifts and offerings, not by the tithe.
The writings warn against using the tithe at one's own discretion for various branches of missionary work, as this violates God's established order. Supporting the literature work is considered a service that should be promoted through additional resources, while the tithe remains reserved for those who preach the gospel.
Purpose‑Specific Use of the Tithe
»God has given special guidelines for the use of the tithe. He does not want His work to be paralyzed by a lack of resources. To prevent arbitrary work and error, He has made our duty in these points very clear. The portion that God has reserved for Himself may not be used for any purpose other than the one He has specified. No one should take the liberty of withholding their tithe to use it according to their own judgment. They should not use it for themselves in an emergency, nor apply it as they see fit, even in what they may consider the Lord's work.«
Warning Against Misuse of the Tithe
»I have been given a very clear, specific message for our people. I am commissioned to tell them that they are making a mistake when they use the tithe for various purposes that may be good in themselves but are not the purpose for which the Lord intended the tithe. Those who use the tithe in this way deviate from the Lord's command. God will judge these matters.«
The Tithe Is Intended for the Preaching Ministry
»One argues that the tithe may be used for school purposes. Others think that book evangelists and colporteurs should be supported from the tithe. But a great error is made when the tithe is taken away from the purpose for which it is to be used – the support of the preachers. Today there should be a hundred well‑qualified workers in the field, where now there is only one.«
Financing the Literature Work Through Gifts
»Everyone can support the cause by selflessly giving from their resources to help the various branches of the work, by providing funds for the publication of tracts and magazines to disseminate them among people and sow the truth. Those who give money to promote the work bear a part of the work's burden; they are co‑workers of Christ.«
Support of Various Work Branches
»God's reserved resources must not be used in such an arbitrary manner. The tithe belongs to the Lord, and those who appropriate it will be punished with the loss of their heavenly treasure unless they repent. Let the work no longer be hindered because the tithe has been redirected into various channels that are not the one the Lord said it should flow to. Provision must be made for these other work areas. They should be supported, but not from the tithe. God has not changed; the tithe is still to be used for the support of the preaching ministry.«
God's Claim on the Tithe
»The Lord claims a tithe of all our income as His property, to be devoted exclusively to the support of those who are dedicated to proclaiming the gospel. Moreover, He asks us for gifts and offerings for His work and also to meet the needs of the poor.«
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- Correct use of the tithe Ellen White
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Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
